Are you suffering from starting problems with your PC? Is your PC taking a very long time to boot up and start working? Do this and your PC will start up much faster.
The registry is the heart of the computer. It is the one location where references to all the installations of all the software and hardware installed on your computer is located. Also all the settings of your computer are also saved on the registry only. So the registry and its speed will ensure the fast start up of your PC.
A registry though is very vulnerable as it is the only place where such vital information is located. Every time a program is removed or re installed some of the entries remain in the registry and are not removed. Soon the number and amount of all such entries increases to such an extent that it starts affecting the booting speed of your computer. So if you buy a proper registry cleaner from the internet and install it in your computer, it will remove all such orphaned entries from your computer and will definitely do a world of good to you and your PC. Do this and your PC will start up much faster.
You can also try increasing the size of your main memory. This can be done by freeing space on the hard disk of your computer or else by buying a new main memory that will lead to huge costs. When you will free the space on your hard disk, the virtual memory of your computer will also increase and hence that will lead to an increase in the size of your main memory. As you do this and your PC will start up much faster.
One of the other potential problems that could be the reason for your slow start up is also the number of programs that you have installed in the start-up folder of your system. Remove a few of those programs that start on start up. Next, take some time out and de fragment your installation drive. This also can be very good for speeding up the system. De fragmentation arranges all the data present in your system in a proper sequence. Do this and your PC will start up much faster.
If you try out all of the solutions listed above, I am sure that your system will soon be starting up much faster as compared to before.
for a free scan and more information on registry cleaners click here http://www.pctool-registrycleaner.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Summer_Smith
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
CMOS FOR KEEP TIME
A computer needs a certain amount of information to operate; for example, the date and time, the amount of memory installed, the number of drives and their configuration, and so on. In the early days of computers, either the user typed in this information each time the computer started, or it was set using DIP switches and jumpers. Today, computers store this information in a CMOS chip that uses a small battery to retain the information when the computer is shut off.
CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) is type of chip that consumes very little power; therefore, while the computer is turned off, the battery discharges very slowly. But the battery will totally discharge if you leave your computer turned off for a year or so. Even if you turn your computer on every day, the battery is designed to last only a couple of years. Occasionally a battery will fail prematurely.
Today's plug-and-play computers can detect most of the necessary settings, but if your CMOS battery is dead, your computer will not be able to retain the date and time. The computer will also lose any custom settings, for example, the boot sequence. If you set a password in CMOS, you may be locked out of the computer. If the CMOS battery does fail, you might receive the message "System Configuration Lost" when you start the computer. It would be wise to record all the CMOS settings as a precaution.
To record the CMOS settings, watch for an on-screen prompt when you first start your computer. The prompt tells you to press a key, usually the Del or F2, to enter CMOS. To enter the CMOS configuration utility, you have to press the indicated key while the message is on the screen. After the CMOS configuration screen appears, follow the instructions provided to page through all the screens and record all the settings.
If your computer loses its time setting overnight, the CMOS battery may not be holding a charge. The CMOS battery is located inside the case on the motherboard. Changing the battery is usually a job for a computer technician. In fact, a layman might not even be able to find the battery.
If you want to locate the CMOS battery in your computer, be aware that a static discharge from your hands can damage components inside the case. After taking proper precautions, open the case and look on the motherboard for a battery. If you have a diagram of your motherboard, locate the battery on the diagram first.
Different motherboards use different types of batteries. The battery may be shaped like a barrel or a coin. Some motherboards use a component that resembles a chip which contains the CMOS and the battery (made by DALLAS or Benchmarq). Batteries come in different voltages, so make sure you get an exact replacement.
Sometimes the battery is mounted in a holder. Sometimes it is soldered to the motherboard. De-soldering and re-soldering a battery is usually a job for a computer technician. An inexperienced solderer can cause a lot of damage. If you want to try to do it yourself, first practice on an obsolete circuit board. You may change your mind.
If the CMOS battery has failed because it's too old, this might be an opportunity to upgrade your motherboard. When upgrading a motherboard, the most important considerations are to make sure the new motherboard is the correct form factor for your case, and that the new motherboard has the correct bus connector slots for your expansion boards.
Copyright(C) Bucaro TecHelp
Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.
About The Author
Stephen Bucaro
To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp
CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) is type of chip that consumes very little power; therefore, while the computer is turned off, the battery discharges very slowly. But the battery will totally discharge if you leave your computer turned off for a year or so. Even if you turn your computer on every day, the battery is designed to last only a couple of years. Occasionally a battery will fail prematurely.
Today's plug-and-play computers can detect most of the necessary settings, but if your CMOS battery is dead, your computer will not be able to retain the date and time. The computer will also lose any custom settings, for example, the boot sequence. If you set a password in CMOS, you may be locked out of the computer. If the CMOS battery does fail, you might receive the message "System Configuration Lost" when you start the computer. It would be wise to record all the CMOS settings as a precaution.
To record the CMOS settings, watch for an on-screen prompt when you first start your computer. The prompt tells you to press a key, usually the Del or F2, to enter CMOS. To enter the CMOS configuration utility, you have to press the indicated key while the message is on the screen. After the CMOS configuration screen appears, follow the instructions provided to page through all the screens and record all the settings.
If your computer loses its time setting overnight, the CMOS battery may not be holding a charge. The CMOS battery is located inside the case on the motherboard. Changing the battery is usually a job for a computer technician. In fact, a layman might not even be able to find the battery.
If you want to locate the CMOS battery in your computer, be aware that a static discharge from your hands can damage components inside the case. After taking proper precautions, open the case and look on the motherboard for a battery. If you have a diagram of your motherboard, locate the battery on the diagram first.
Different motherboards use different types of batteries. The battery may be shaped like a barrel or a coin. Some motherboards use a component that resembles a chip which contains the CMOS and the battery (made by DALLAS or Benchmarq). Batteries come in different voltages, so make sure you get an exact replacement.
Sometimes the battery is mounted in a holder. Sometimes it is soldered to the motherboard. De-soldering and re-soldering a battery is usually a job for a computer technician. An inexperienced solderer can cause a lot of damage. If you want to try to do it yourself, first practice on an obsolete circuit board. You may change your mind.
If the CMOS battery has failed because it's too old, this might be an opportunity to upgrade your motherboard. When upgrading a motherboard, the most important considerations are to make sure the new motherboard is the correct form factor for your case, and that the new motherboard has the correct bus connector slots for your expansion boards.
Copyright(C) Bucaro TecHelp
Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.
About The Author
Stephen Bucaro
To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Windows Task Manager
You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC, to close crashed programs and processes, and to check performance. You probably avoid a few processes whose names mean nothing to you, but they're essential to Windows. svchost.exe sure likes to appear all the time and multiple times at that. What's taskmgr.exe? Oh yeah, it's the window you're looking at right now. ctfmon? Is he related to Pokemon? navapsvc.exe? Navy? Napa Valley? Navel? NOTA (none of the above).
This is not a comprehensive list as that would take days. It has the standard processes as well as process names from popular applications. If you want to know about a process, the best place to go is? ProcessLibrary.com. Just like adware and spyware, there are bad processes that come to life thanks to the bad guys like Trojans and viruses. The site has a list of the top five security threats, so watch out for those processes.
Also, beware the bad guys like to use legitimate names of processes. For example, rundll.exe is a system process that should not be terminated. However, recent reports have stated, "It can also be the LOXOSCAM virus depending on Operating System and file path; this is always a virus on Windows XP and 2000 operating systems however."
You can download software that provide more information about the process. Task Manager, as you know, says nothing except the name of the process and how much CPU it's using. One example is Process Explorer, a standalone application that also has the option of replacing the built in Task Manager for windows. It shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
acrotray.exeAcrobat Assistant that is used when printing documents to a PDF. The process should not be removed while converting documents to PDF.
ADService.exe Active Disk Service is a component of the Iomega zip drive.
AppServices.exe Also for the Iomega zip drive.
ccEvtMrg.exe Associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.
ccSetMgr.exe Also associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.
csrss.exe System process that is the main executable for the Microsoft Client / Server Runtim Server Subsystem. It should not be shut down.
ctfmon.exe Non-essential system process. If you're using only English as the language, then it is not needed. However, it's recommended to leave it alone.
explorer.exe This must always be running in the background. It's a user interface process that runs the windows graphical shell for the desktop, task bar, and Start menu.
iexplore.exe Internet Explorer browser. But why are you using it unless it's for a site that doesn't work in any other browser? Use Firefox instead.
lsass.exe Local Security Authority Service is a Windows security-related system process for handling local security and login policies.
Navapsvc.exe, nvsrvc32.exe, and navapw32.exeThese are Symantec's North AnvtiVirus processes. They or whatever virus program you use should run all the time.
realsched.exe RealNetworks Scheduler is not an essential process. It checks for updates for RealNetworks products. It can be safely disabled.
rundll32.exe A system process that executes DLLs and loads their libraries.
savscan.exe Nortons AntiVirus process. Keep it.
services.exe An essential process that manages the starting and stopping of services including the those in boot up and shut down. Do not terminate it.
smss.exe Session Manager SubSystem is a system process that is a central part of the Windows operating system. If you try to kill it, it will be difficult? hence, the importance of leaving it be.
spoolsv.exe Microsoft printer spooler service handles local printer processes. It's a system file.
svchost.exe x 6You may have more than six appearances of this process or less. It's there multiple times to handle processes executed from DLLs. Leave it there.
SystemThis is a file that stores information related to local hardware settings in the registry under 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE'. Kill it and kiss your PC's stability bye bye.
System Idele ProcessCalculates the amount of CPU currently in use by applications. This won't go away no matter how hard you try. Don't try it, OK?
taskmgr.exe Appears when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.
wdfmgr.exe Windows Driver Foundation Manager is part of Windows media player 10 and newer. Better not to stop the process.
winlogon.exe Handles the login and logout processes. It's essential.
winword.exe The great Carnac says, "You're running Microsoft Word."
Don't panic if you see something you have on the "bad guy" list. svchost.exe is important, but some are good guys and some are bad guys. Do your research before deleting anything. For instance, I have admin.exe, which has been reported as a bad guy. However, it is the admin process for one of my programs. When I closed the program, admin.exe also went away.
Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.
This is not a comprehensive list as that would take days. It has the standard processes as well as process names from popular applications. If you want to know about a process, the best place to go is? ProcessLibrary.com. Just like adware and spyware, there are bad processes that come to life thanks to the bad guys like Trojans and viruses. The site has a list of the top five security threats, so watch out for those processes.
Also, beware the bad guys like to use legitimate names of processes. For example, rundll.exe is a system process that should not be terminated. However, recent reports have stated, "It can also be the LOXOSCAM virus depending on Operating System and file path; this is always a virus on Windows XP and 2000 operating systems however."
You can download software that provide more information about the process. Task Manager, as you know, says nothing except the name of the process and how much CPU it's using. One example is Process Explorer, a standalone application that also has the option of replacing the built in Task Manager for windows. It shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded. http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml
acrotray.exeAcrobat Assistant that is used when printing documents to a PDF. The process should not be removed while converting documents to PDF.
ADService.exe Active Disk Service is a component of the Iomega zip drive.
AppServices.exe Also for the Iomega zip drive.
ccEvtMrg.exe Associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.
ccSetMgr.exe Also associated with Symantec's Internet Security Suite. Keep it and protect your PC.
csrss.exe System process that is the main executable for the Microsoft Client / Server Runtim Server Subsystem. It should not be shut down.
ctfmon.exe Non-essential system process. If you're using only English as the language, then it is not needed. However, it's recommended to leave it alone.
explorer.exe This must always be running in the background. It's a user interface process that runs the windows graphical shell for the desktop, task bar, and Start menu.
iexplore.exe Internet Explorer browser. But why are you using it unless it's for a site that doesn't work in any other browser? Use Firefox instead.
lsass.exe Local Security Authority Service is a Windows security-related system process for handling local security and login policies.
Navapsvc.exe, nvsrvc32.exe, and navapw32.exeThese are Symantec's North AnvtiVirus processes. They or whatever virus program you use should run all the time.
realsched.exe RealNetworks Scheduler is not an essential process. It checks for updates for RealNetworks products. It can be safely disabled.
rundll32.exe A system process that executes DLLs and loads their libraries.
savscan.exe Nortons AntiVirus process. Keep it.
services.exe An essential process that manages the starting and stopping of services including the those in boot up and shut down. Do not terminate it.
smss.exe Session Manager SubSystem is a system process that is a central part of the Windows operating system. If you try to kill it, it will be difficult? hence, the importance of leaving it be.
spoolsv.exe Microsoft printer spooler service handles local printer processes. It's a system file.
svchost.exe x 6You may have more than six appearances of this process or less. It's there multiple times to handle processes executed from DLLs. Leave it there.
SystemThis is a file that stores information related to local hardware settings in the registry under 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE'. Kill it and kiss your PC's stability bye bye.
System Idele ProcessCalculates the amount of CPU currently in use by applications. This won't go away no matter how hard you try. Don't try it, OK?
taskmgr.exe Appears when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del.
wdfmgr.exe Windows Driver Foundation Manager is part of Windows media player 10 and newer. Better not to stop the process.
winlogon.exe Handles the login and logout processes. It's essential.
winword.exe The great Carnac says, "You're running Microsoft Word."
Don't panic if you see something you have on the "bad guy" list. svchost.exe is important, but some are good guys and some are bad guys. Do your research before deleting anything. For instance, I have admin.exe, which has been reported as a bad guy. However, it is the admin process for one of my programs. When I closed the program, admin.exe also went away.
Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.
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